APRIL 1 TO JUXE 30, 1918. H 



45991 to 45994— Continued. 



45994. DioscoREA bulbifera L. Yam. 



"The aerial tubers of this yam are sonie\vli,ii li«'ttcr lor food than the 

 ground tubers, according to Mr. C. F. Kinnjaii. The flesli is yellow and 

 rather strong flavored, often practically inedible. Tlie aerial tubers are 

 very tougli sliinned and Iceep for a long time." 



45995. A.STEAGALUS sixicus L. Fabacete. Genge clover. 



From Yokohama. -Tapan. Purcliased from the Y(»kohama Nursery Co. 

 Received April LI. 1918. 



Late Giant variety. A held crop very extensively grown for human food 

 and partly as a source of soil nitrogen ; it is closely allied to our alfalfa. Tender 

 tips of the stems are gathered before the stage of blossoming is I'eached and 

 served as food after boiling or steaming. It is known among foreigners as 

 ' Cliinese clover." The stems are also cooked and then dried for use when the 

 crop is out of season. Wealthy Chinese families pay an extra high price for the 

 tender shoots when picked very young, sometimes as much as 20 to 28 cents 

 per pf)und in our currency. (Adapted from King. Farmers of Forty Centuries, 

 p. 128.) 



For illustrations of a held of this clover and of a single plant, .see Plates III 

 and IV. 



45996. Zea mays L. Poacese. Corn. 



From Torreon. Coahuila, Mexico. Presented by :\rr. Carlos Gonzales. Re- 

 ceived April 16, 191S. 



" Mais de tiempo, or maiz pepitiUa." 



Introduced for the breeding experiments of the Bureau of Plant Industry. 



45997. Persea azorica Seiibert. Lauracese. 



From Pouta Delgada, Azores. Presented by the American consul. Re- 

 ceived April 16, 1918. 



A medium-sized tree found in the forests of all the islands of the Azores, 

 especially in the island of Pico, at altitudes of 1,000 to 2,500 feet. The leaves 

 are oval, with wedge-shaped bases and hairy margins. The fruits are quite 

 small and ^gg shaped. (Adapted from Seubert. Flora Azorica. p. 29.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 43480. 



45998. Erythrixa arborescens Roxb. Fabacea?. Coral tree. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Thomas W. Brown, director, Horti- 

 cultural Section, Gizeh Branch, Ministry of Agriculture. Received 

 April 19. 1918. 

 A low tree found in northern India, from Kumaon to Sikkim and in the 

 Khasi Hills, up to an altitude of 7,000 feet. The light-green pinnate leaves are 

 made up of three leaflets 5 to 7 inches long and nearly as broad. The racemes 

 of vivid scarlet flowers, sometimes 1-5 inches long, appear during the hot season 

 while the tree is still leafless. The lanceolate, curved, brownish pubescent 

 pods contain 2 to 10 large dull-black seeds. The wood is white, soft, and 

 light and is used for making boxes and toys. (Adapted from Brandts, Indian 

 Trees, p. 227.) 



